Once a Roman stronghold, then France’s silk capital, Lyon is now a UNESCO World Heritage city where two rivers meet and history seeps from courtyards, murals, and streets called traboules—secret passageways once used by silk workers. Food here is a way of life: from hearty bouchon fare to praline-bright pastries and a market culture that shaped legendary chef Paul Bocuse.

Lyon rewards explorers. Climb to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière for sweeping sunsets, bike the Rhône riverbanks, and wander Croix-Rousse for street art and silk heritage. Photographers love the city’s pink facades at golden hour, the Fresque des Lyonnais, and fog rolling over the Saône on winter mornings.

Practicalities: Public transit is extensive (metro, tram, bus), and the Vélov’ bike-share is affordable. Prices stay gentler than Paris if you favor lunch menus, markets, and food halls. December’s Fête des Lumières fills the city—book well ahead. Like any popular European city, watch your bag in crowds.

Lyon

Lyon sits between the Rhône and Saône, its heart on the Presqu’île. Vieux Lyon’s Renaissance lanes hide courtyards and traboules; Croix-Rousse rises with slopes, murals, and a village feel; Confluence looks futuristic where the rivers merge. Parc de la Tête d’Or brings a lake, rose gardens, and soft morning light.

Top sights: Fourvière Basilica and Roman amphitheater, Vieux Lyon and its traboules, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Les Halles de Lyon–Paul Bocuse, Confluence Museum, Croix-Rousse market, Fresque des Lyonnais, Mur des Canuts, and Île Barbe on the Saône.

Where to stay (budget-forward picks, with a splurge option):

• Hôtel Victoria Lyon Perrache Confluence – Practical rooms near Perrache for cheap metro and tram access.
• Hotel des Savoies Lyon Perrache – Reliable value; walkable to the Saône riverfront.
• Aparthotel Adagio Lyon Patio Confluence – Studios with kitchenettes to save on meals.
• Hôtel Lyon Métropole – Larger pool/spa; good if you want amenities and don’t mind a short hop from center.
• Villa Florentine – A special-occasion splurge with knockout views of the old town.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Lyon | Hotels.com Lyon

Getting to Lyon (choose what fits your route and budget):

• Flights to LYS: compare on Omio (flights to Europe). Rhônexpress tram to center is quick; pre-book for savings.
• High-speed trains: Paris–Lyon ~2h; Marseille–Lyon ~1h40; Geneva–Lyon ~2h. Check times and prices on Omio (trains in Europe).
• Budget buses: Paris–Lyon ~6–7h; Milan–Lyon ~6–7h. See options on Omio (buses in Europe).

Coffee and quick bites that won’t drain the budget: La Boîte à Café by Mokxa (espresso and filter), Placid Coffee (rotating roasters), Loutsa (local roastery), Boulangerie du Palais (praline brioche), Pralus (the “Praluline”). For classic bouchon dishes—quenelles, cervelle de canut, tablier de sapeur—look for lunch “formules” to save.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips, and Sunset Over the City

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags at your hotel. Shake off the trip with coffee at La Boîte à Café by Mokxa near Vieux Lyon or Placid Coffee on the Presqu’île. Stroll the Saône quays to the Passerelle du Palais de Justice—great for a first photo of Fourvière reflected in the water.

Evening: Ride the funicular up to Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière for a golden-hour panorama; walk down past Roman amphitheaters that glow at dusk. Dinner in Vieux Lyon at a bouchon with a budget-friendly set menu—try quenelles in crayfish sauce or a lighter salade lyonnaise. Nightcap on a péniche (river barge) along the Rhône for city lights on the water.

Day 2: Bike the Rivers, Croix-Rousse Stories, Food-Hall Feast

Morning: Kick off with a guided spin to orient yourself.

Recommended tour: The Grand Bike Tour of Lyon - 3h
Book on Viator

Prefer DIY? Grab a Vélov’ day pass (~the price of a coffee); first 30 minutes of each ride are typically free. Cruise the Rhône riverbanks on protected lanes, then up to Parc de la Tête d’Or for lakeside photos and the rose garden.

Afternoon: Explore Croix-Rousse: see the Mur des Canuts (Europe’s largest mural), peek into traboules once used by canuts (silk workers), and browse the open-air market (most mornings). Snack strategy: pick up a praline brioche or a slice of saucisson brioché to keep costs low.

Evening: Head to Food Traboule, the chef-driven food hall inside the historic Tour Rose—mix-and-match small plates (great for budget and variety). For dessert, split a praline tart. If energy remains, wander the Fresque des Lyonnais and Hôtel de Ville square by night for long-exposure shots.

Day 3: Markets, Green Escape, and River Nightlife

Morning: Start at Marché Saint-Antoine (riverside) for fruit, cheeses, and baguette—assemble a picnic. Coffee at Loutsa near the Presqu’île. Walk or bike into Parc de la Tête d’Or; loop the lake and hunt for reflections under the plane trees. Photographers: aim for leading lines on the park’s bridges.

Afternoon: Tram to Confluence for a change of scene. The angular Musée des Confluences is striking from the outside alone—excellent for modernist shots where the Rhône and Saône meet. Wander the docks and street art pockets on the Saône side.

Evening: Grab budget-friendly dinner near Guillotière, where international spots abound (Lebanese wraps, Vietnamese noodles, North African couscous). Join locals on the Rhône quays; many péniches have happy-hour deals and live music on weekends.

Day 4: Museum Hopping with a City Card + Night Ghost Hunt

Morning: Maximize sightseeing value with an all-in-one pass that includes transit and many museums.

Recommended pass: Lyon City Card Public Transportation & 40 attractions
Get the City Card on Viator

With the card, hop to the Gadagne Museums (city and puppetry), the Musée des Beaux-Arts by Place des Terreaux, and the Lumière Institute in Monplaisir, where cinema was born.

Afternoon: Pause at Les Halles de Lyon–Paul Bocuse. For a budget bite, split charcuterie from a counter (try rosette de Lyon) or a bowl of seasonal soup. Coffee back on the Presqu’île at Placid Coffee to refuel for an evening walk.

Evening: Turn the city into a shadowy treasure hunt.

Recommended game-walk: Lyon Ghost Hunt: Follow the Shadows Exploration Game
Play via Viator

It’s self-guided, fun, and great after dark when Vieux Lyon’s alleys feel extra atmospheric—and your night photos pop.

Day 5: Medieval Pérouges Day Trip (Easy by Train), Back to Bouchon Classics

Morning: Take a regional TER from Lyon Part-Dieu to Meximieux–Pérouges (~30–40 minutes). Check departures and fares on Omio (trains in Europe). Walk 15 minutes up to the walled village: cobbles, stone archways, ivy, and timeless doorways—photography heaven.

Afternoon: Try Pérouges’ famous galette au sucre (a caramelized sugar tart) and sip a coffee on the main square. Return to Lyon midafternoon; stop at the Fresque des Lyonnais if you haven’t yet, then browse secondhand shops along Rue Victor-Hugo for budget-friendly souvenirs.

Evening: Celebrate back in Lyon with a bouchon dinner. Order a half-pichet of Beaujolais (usually the best value). If you prefer lighter fare, opt for a quenelle with salad and end with ile flottante—airy, satisfying, and affordable.

Day 6: Photo Finish, Last Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Capture your Lyon memories with a local photographer—ideal for solo travelers or couples who want more than selfies.

Recommended experience: Capture Your Lyon Memories via Private Photoshoot Experience
Book on Viator

Brunch nearby: order a croque or eggs at a café on Place Sathonay, or keep it classic with pastries and filter coffee at Mokxa.

Afternoon: Quick last lap for edible souvenirs: pink pralines, saucisson, or local cheeses. If you’re flying, compare airport connections and timings on Omio (flights); for rail exits to Paris/Marseille/Geneva, use Omio (trains). Depart with a full camera roll and a new respect for Lyon’s layers.

Optional Add-On for Adventurous Travelers (swap into any afternoon): Local-Lens Walking Tour

If you love stories and backstreets, join a guide who threads Lyon’s headline sights with the courtyards most visitors miss.

Recommended tour: Highlights and Hidden Gems of Lyon Guided Walking Tour (English)
Reserve on Viator

Budget-Smart Lyon: Quick Tips

• Lunch “formule” is often the best value; dinner can cost more for the same dishes.
• Vélov’ bike-share: short rides keep costs near zero beyond the pass—chain rides for free windows.
• City Card shines when you plan 2–3 paid sights plus transit in a day.
• Water is free in restaurants on request (une carafe d’eau). House wine by the pichet is a deal.
• Markets make great picnics: bread, tomme de Savoie, saucisson, fruit—delicious and cheap.

Getting in and around recap: For flights and long-haul options to Lyon, compare on Omio (flights). For European trains and buses into or out of Lyon, check Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). Once in town, rely on metro/tram/bus and Vélov’ bikes; walking is half the joy.

Summary: In six days you’ll bike river paths, puzzle through traboules, taste market-fresh Lyonnaise classics, and frame skyline shots from Fourvière to Île Barbe—all without overspending. Lyon rewards curiosity; let its layers unfold one café, courtyard, and viewpoint at a time.